Hazy Headlights

The headlights on my 2006 are pretty hazy. Any suggestions for replacing them or having them fixed? I'm willing to upgrade to something better like LED but not sure where to start. Is this work I can do myself (not terribly handy).

Thanks!

 

Go get a 3M headlight restore kit from AutoZone and follow the directions. They'll be good as new!

 

Mine looked like yours, I used the kit from Turtle Wax. They cleaned up with just a little elbow grease and I follow up once a month to keep them clear. Not hard to do at all just be patient

 

You could try these "Novus 123 Plastic Polish Kit 8oz. With Extra Polish Mate Pack available at Amazon. It does work.

 

Most headlight restoration kits (I like 3m kit) should work fine.
The issue is.. Once you sand off the factory uv protection (which is usually what is turning hazy or yellow on headlights) once that's gone.. you must reseal with a product.
Plastic x or car wax will work but must be reapplied quite often. Opti-lense or lamin-x type products are quite expensive but last longer.
It's just something to consider before sanding off the factory finish.
Of course if it's too much of a hassle or you like new different headlights... you could sell them cheap to me and buy new cooler looking headlights

 

Headlight protection films like Xpel or lamin-x will prevent the reoxidation. They are a pain to install but worth it. I put film on any new vehicle I purchase and the headlights remain crystal clear for the life of the vehicle.

 

Did this just yesterday with the 3M kit and they do look great !

I will say there is no magic in the box though and you can do this yourself with stuff you have around the garage for a lot less.

My kit came with some masking tape, a few discs of 500 and 800 grit paper and another of 3200 as well as a mandrel to carry the paper and a round sponge (for the end polish with supplied compound) and a packet of wax.

Pep Boys whacked me $32 bux and I saw it later that evening at Wallyworld for $26 !

They do look great today though..... just hope they last. I'm not encouraged by what I have read about what to expect....

 

I've used the Sylvania kit twice now. Lasts about 12-18ish months each time and takes about an hour to do. This time it is starting to streak a bit in front, but it has been since last July that i put it on. I could likely extend the durability by hand waxing or otherwise treating the headlights, but this is good enough for me. I concur with Frito in saying it can likely be done cheap with stuff at home, but the kit is convenient for me.

Costs $20 at Amazon.

$22 SYLVANIA - Headlight Restoration Kit - 3 Easy Steps to Restore Sun Damaged Headlights with Exclusive UV Block Clear Coat, Light Output and Beam Pattern Restored, Long Lasting Protection

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product..._sfl_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

 

Get a kit and take your time remember Speed + plastic = damaged lens.

 

Used a Meguiars kit on mine. Yea it cost me $30 at Auto Zone and 1 hour of my time, but they turned out great and is way cheaper than new headlights. I have to redo it about once a year, but I've still got plenty of polish and sealant left over and just have to buy sand paper as needed. My preference is 1000/2000/3000/5000 grit.
I've also used a 3M kit on my headlights on my moms Outback and I preferred they're polish and UV deal included in the kit. That kit was cheaper too, think it was about $20.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEJbKLZ7RmM

 

Great how to video...

 

Can they be sprayed with a couple coats high quality clearcoat after polishing? Ive always wondered if that could be a longer lasting follow up.

 

That's what they did in the tutorial video lazy ass!

 

I just used this on one of our other vehicles and it came out very nice. It took me about an hour to do as well. Not bad results at all for $20.

 

Hmm.. texture. Spray cans leave an ugly orange peel texture.
Wet sand but then you'd be waxing like the other methods. .

Wonder how the light output/ glare is...

 

I know everybody out there doesn't have access to a air brush system, but using an airbrush with clear coat will be the best way to minimize overspray and orange peel if you're going to clear coat the lenses. I was fortunate enough to borrow one from a friend. It took me several tries on a headlight i purchased from a junk yard to finally get it down but it was worth trying out on a headlight I wasn't going to use. When I did it on my Tacoma headlights they came out great the first time.

 

That sounds like a better option.. can you take some close up pictures of the headlights so we can all see the outcome before buying the airbrush?

 

Sure thing. I won't be able to get pictures tell tomorrow as the wife has the Tacoma this week (i'm in a work truck).

My headlights are not perfect as they have the hairline cracks on the inside the of the lights and the factory amber bulbs melted the lenses on the inside too. I waited too long to have them recalled so now Toyota won't touch em However, they are still very clear and provide excellent visibility at night. I am eventually for the cracking and melting issues going to replace them with these:

$136 DEPO 312-1186P-US2 Replacement Headlight Set (This product is an aftermarket product. It is not created or sold by the OE car company), Black

https://www.amazon.com/Depo-312-118...3169&sr=8-2&keywords=toyota+tacoma+headlights